Mark Robins lines up West Brom transfer raid for Stoke City | OneFootball

Mark Robins is reportedly eyeing up West Bromwich Albion's Josh Griffiths as a potential backup option between the sticks

Stoke City are preparing for their ninth consecutive season in the Championship, and having not threatened for promotion in the slightest during that period, the pressure for a strong transfer window this summer is increasing on manager Mark Robins.

It looked as though it could be a season to remember for Stoke supporters, whose side won four of their opening five games, found themselves third after ten games, behind only Coventry City and Middlesbrough, and sustained the best defensive record in the division during that period.

Fast-forward the next 30 games or so, and the Potters have slipped to 17th in the table, confirming their tenth bottom-half finish in a row, whilst only Sheffield Wednesday picked up fewer points than them across that period.

The drop-off, even by Stoke's standards, was dramatic and damning, and with Robins facing increased pressure during his role, as Football League World exclusively revealed the Potters were eyeing up potential replacements in the event of his departure, the 56-year-old cannot afford to get many deals wrong this window if he is to remain in charge.

Robins will point to the incredible number of injuries and the timing of them as a huge factor in their fall-off, especially in between the sticks, and now looks to be taking action to address that issue.

Stoke City have identified West Bromwich Albion's Josh Griffiths as a potential backup option to Viktor Johansson

Stoke fielded four keepers across the campaign, with each of Viktor Johansson, Tommy Simkin, Gavin Bazunu, and Jack Bonham having been chosen between the sticks by Robins.

Bonham left in January for Bolton Wanderers, having just helped the Trotters back to the Championship, whilst Tommy Simkin was recalled from his loan spell at League One Leyton Orient in January after regular number one Viktor Johansson sustained a shoulder injury against Sheffield United.

Bazunu was brought in from Southampton on loan in the same January after a difficult period with the Saints, which would continue in the Potteries, as the Irishman picked up a six-week injury in training after just one game, and upon his return, didn't instil confidence in the Stoke supporters with his performances.

Johansson, who will be linking up with the Sweden mens national team ahead of the upcoming World Cup in North America, returned to action on the final day for Stoke, and made a mistake within the first minute in a 2-0 defeat away to Bristol City, but subsequently signed a fresh four-year deal shortly after.

Johansson will almost certainly keep his place between the sticks next season, but with Bazunu returning to Southampton, Simkin likely heading out on loan again, a solid backup option is needed, as Alan Nixon has reported via Patreon that West Bromwich Albion's Josh Griffiths has emerged as a target.

Griffiths, 24, has struggled for the Baggies since being made number one, and as the January window rolled around, Max O'Leary was brought in from Bristol City to replace him between the sticks, with Joe Wildsmith also having struggled.

The Englishman came through the ranks at the Hawthorns and has spent time out on loan with each of Cheltenham Town, Lincoln City, Portsmouth, and Bristol Rovers before staking his claim at his boyhood club.

However, having conceded 7.5 more goals than expected, as per FotMob, incidentally, only better than Bazunu, Griffiths has lost his place in the side, and in turn, the confidence of the fanbase.

Stoke are reportedly looking to make him their second-choice option behind Johansson and view him as an ideal candidate, despite his recent struggles.

Whether Griffiths is open to swapping the bench at the Hawthorns for the one at the bet365 Stadium, at this stage, isn't clear, but Robins has set his sights on the Baggies shot-stopper, as Stoke continue their search for a deputy to Johansson.

Viktor Johansson will remain as Stoke City's number one goalkeeper in the event of Josh Griffiths' transfer from West Bromwich Albion

Having spent a huge portion of the season out injured, Johansson returned to action on the final day, and despite his worrying display, was still handed a new long-term contract with the club, such as is Stoke's faith in the Swede.

Johansson prevented 4.2 goals this season, as per FotMob, and looked to be on course to match his previous season's tally of 10.83, only bettered by James Trafford, who conceded just 16 goals for Burnley that year.

On his day, the Swede is the best shot-stopper in the league, and replacing him would be a mighty task.

Whether Griffiths is willing to continue serving as deputy an hour down the road remains unknown, but Stoke are seemingly keen to make that a reality.